The first half hour of Mornings with Sally Warhaft on 774 ABC Melbourne and ABC Victoria, Wednesday 15 January.

Sally hands the chair back to Jon Faine at the end of the week when he returns on Monday.

The Country Fire Authority’s Mark Harris spoke about more than two-hundred-and-50 fires in the past 24 hours, all reduced to Watch and Act, or less. Of more concern was Ambulance Victoria’s Paul Holman, saying 11 children were rescued from locked in cars in 40-plus temperatures.

The weather bureau warns there’s worse to come when winds mix with extreme heat later in the week. It’s a total fire ban for the entire State today.

And just what can jurors do? With the rise in popularity of social media, can they really be expected to be locked up and not notice anything in the wider world? Specialist criminal lawyer, Rob Starry explained the situation to Sally.

A "Tunnel Action Workshop" has been organised for people wanting to protest the planned East-West Link.

Iain McIntyre, author of "How to make trouble and influence people", spoke about the history of protest organisation in Melbourne and Australia.

At the time of broadcast no one from the Tunnel Action Workshop was available to speak publically.

These include; the Regulation Repeal Day, a day (March 19) to remove 8000 outdated laws; Commission of Audit; the national curriculum review, five years since the first shaping papers for the national curriculum were produced.

Dr Kevin Tolhurst is an Associate Professor of Fire Ecology and Management at the University of Melbourne. He says the coming heat wave effects will differ across the state.

"We do need to, as communities, work out what is best for us," Dr Tolhurst said.

"It's not a one size fits all which is the problem I have with a simple three word saying like that ('Leave and Live') and we saw in the Bushfire Royal Commission a similar three word thing, which was 'Stay or Go', caused a lot of problems so we've got to move away from that.

"We need to be clear that depending on the weather conditions - whether we're in a severe drought and thos sorts of things - the extent at which a bushfire can travel can vary."

He suggests creating maps that identify the safest parts of a town depending on fire danger rating - severe, extreme, catastrophic.

While the Premier is away Nationals' Leader Peter Ryan is acting in the role.

"I think we're a very well prepared as a state (for the weather ahead this week)", he said nodding towards that range of media and public information sources.

January isn't a quiet month politically for the State Government.

Mr Ryan was not going to be drawn on changes within the Liberal Party; a possible move by Planning Minister Matthew Guy to the Lower House and Ken Smith's rumoured retirement.

Shortly before 10 AM it was confirmed by Mr Smith's office that he would not recontest his seat at the next election.

The Melbourne City Council is calling for major changes to the design of parts of the East-West link project.

Lord Mayor Robert Doyle talks to Sally Warhaft about the Council’s report, due to be endorsed by councillors next week.

Written in response to the Linking Melbourne Authority’s comprehensive impact statement, it also calls for the proposed Melbourne Port road to be scrapped.

“What this process is about is saying to the government ‘if you’re going to do this project, here is a better way of thinking about where the road meets CityLink and, secondly, the Moonee Ponds creek alignment. So, we’ve come up with what I think is a very innovative set of suggestions,” says Mr. Doyle.

Julia Gillard's former deputy chief of staff Tom Bentley talks to Jon about a new group that hope to reform the Labor party.

He tells Jon, "The Labor Party has played a hugely important role in Australia's development... but as time has passed, it's also become more reliant on structures that don't work so well for the community and economy that we live in now."

He is part of a 100-strong group of activists within the Labor party who are seeking to change the way internal Labor politics works.

Among the group - known as Open Labor - is former state premier Steve Bracks, former West Australian premier Geoff Gallup, former deputy prime minister in the Hawke years Brian Howe and Melbourne journalist James Button.

"There are many people outside the Labor party, as well as people who are active within it, who feel... distanced from the decision-making structures and the way in which the internal culture of the Labor party works. Now is the time to change that."

Mark Scott, managing director of the ABC, talks to Jon Faine about the publication of staff salaries in The Australian newspaper today. “Releasing this information puts the ABC at a commercial disadvantage to organisations that don't release it ... this gives people a list... a target.” Neil Waters, chief executive of recruiting firm Egon Zehnder, tells Jon that a person’s worth can be hard to determine. “You’re average Australian’s always, to some extent, offended when anyone they meet they know is paid more than them. It’s a natural reaction, I guess.” Richmond resident Catherine Boston tells Jon she’s thrilled with a decision by Foxtel division MCN to stop using a private property for commercially catered functions. “The council says they needed a permit, they didn’t have a permit, so they’re moving out!”

Daniel Andrews, Leader of the Opposition, talks to Jon Faine about the Labor Party’s alternative transport plan, which includes a promise to fix 50 level crossings by 2022 and a plan to sell the Port of Melbourne. “Recycle the value that’s in one transport asset, the port, into lots of transport assets: fixing level crossings.”

Ken Coghill, former State Parliament Speaker (1988-1992), tells Jon Victorians need to be thinking ahead to what will happen when the parliament resumes on November 26. “It’s hard to see that the Speaker’s position will be any more tenible then than when he left the chair yesterday... the Speaker has clearly lost the confidence of both the Opposition and the Independent Member for Frankston and therefore does not have the support of a majority in the parliament.” Justin Madded, former Minister for Planning under Labor, announces he will retire at the next state election. He tells Jon, “Having been in both chambers for 15 years, yesterday was the most extraordinary thing that I've ever seen.” Premier Denis Napthine tells Jon the government is still in control, despite the parliament descending into chaos yesterday. “The Government calls the shots... we're getting on with the decisions.”

Maxine McKew, former federal member for Bennalong, tells Jon Faine she was saddened by Kevin Rudd’s resignation. “Kevin, at his best, was an extraordinary political force...Someone who starts the day with a dozen big ideas.” Bruce Hawker, former political strategist and campaign manager for Kevin Rudd, tells Jon Mr Rudd seems content with his decision. “He seems in pretty good form... He’s not standing on a cliff somewhere about to throw himself off.” Melbourne businessman Tony Touhey tells Jon the City of Melbourne are using human error as a scapegoat excuse for a mistaken parking fine rather than admitting their sensor system is flawed. “The fact that they are now blaming a parking officer is, in my view, cowardice.” Lita Gillies, from the Australian Services Union, tells Jon blaming the parking officers is deceitful. “It’s a little bit like watching The Castle and arguing “the vibe”... the parking technology has been flawed for well over two years”

Louise Asher, Deputy Leader of the Victorian Liberal Party, tells Jon Faine yesterday’s parliamentary event may or may not be a precursor of things to come. “Mr. Shaw has been calling the shots on the Government’s legislation since March.” Mr. Shaw, who holds the balance of power in the Lower House, unexpectedly supported a motion that will allow for all bills to be debated by the opposition. Jacinta Allan, Shadow Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Manager of Opposition Business, tells Jon "The Liberal Party can attempt to be in denial, but they have a parliamentary agenda in disarray". Anthony Foster, whose two daughters were victims of sexual abuse at the hands of a Melbourne priest, tells Jon he is feeling confident the Victorian government will come down on the side of victims when the Royal Commission’s report into sexual abuse will be table in parliament today.

Former independent MP Tony Windsor tells Jon the decision
to allow the new Speaker of the House of Representatives, Bronwyn Bishop, to
also attend Liberal Party meetings sends a bad signal of impartiality. “They
want absolute control of how the building works.” Mark Zirnsak, chair of the Interchange gambling taskforce,
tells Jon the $1000 fine handed down to bookie Tom Waterhouse was insignificant.
“The
penalty should be proportionate to the amount made.” Matt Phelan, spokesperson for the Linking Melbourne
Authority, tells Jon claims the East West tunnel will create an uncovered
trench from Hoddle Street to Smith Street “not true. We will be cutting and then
covering... it's not a trench.” Cassandra Goldie, chief executive of the Australian Council
of Social Service (ACOSS), tells Jon many Australian families are struggling to
meet the cost of daily needs. “We’re one of the wealthiest countries in the world...
why are we not having a discussion about some of the very generous tax breaks
that are associated with people on higher incomes?” This comes off the back of
comments made by Maurice Newman, the head of the Prime Minister’s Business
Advisory Council, who said Australia could not afford social initiatives such
as Better Schools funding and the NDIS.

Justin Morgan, the Philippines country director for Oxfam,
tells Jon Faine Typhoon Haiyan has torn apart the worst hit areas of the
country. “Absolute devastation... total destruction of infrastructure, houses,
roads... significant loss of life.” Health Minister David Davis tells Jon a new
government proposal to alleviate hospital ramping times will “lead to a better
and fairer system.” Steve McGhie, Victorian secretary of the Ambulance
Employees Union Australia, tells Jon ending the ongoing ambulance wage dispute
will have no affect on ramping times. Justin Giddings, chief executive of
Avalon Airport, tells Jon international airlines want a rail link to the airport.
“They’re waiting for the rail, it’s a game-changer.”

Dr James Connor, sociologist and senior lecturer at UNSW at Australian Defence Force Academy, tells Jon it will take time to change military culture. “It’s really hard to fix and you’ve got to change the culture all the way around the organisation.” Jessica Harrison from the group ‘CSG Free Bass Coast', and Alison Gelfand from ‘CSG Free Seaspray’ talk to Jon about their fight to stop Coal Seam Gas exploration in their towns.Steve Purvinas, the Secretary of the Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Association, tells Jon the cost savings made by Qantas by closing their Avalon maintenance base will come at the expense of safety. ”That's a dangerous path for them to follow." Victorian Senior of the Year Pat Smith tells Jon she think Victorians live longer because of the temperate climate. "Victoria's got the kind of climate where you can be outdoors and it's not to hot or too cold to be exercising." The ABS have released statistics today that suggest that people live longer Victoria than in any other state in Australia.

Federal Treasurer Joe Hockey tells Jon Faine the $3B worth
of tax reversals announced by the government will not have a negative impact on
the budget. “Our election commitments actually left the budget $7B better off
than what we would have inherited so, from our perspective, it’s always going
to be better off.” Stephen Munchenberg, chief executive of the Australian
Bankers’ Association, tells Jon a major reason why Australia has a couple of
banks in the list of top 10 profitable global banks is because many there are
virtually no European banks left in the top 10. “HSBC in Britain is on but the others
are all Chinese or US banks... it means it inflates the relative position of
ours.” Tony Morton, president of the Public transport Users’
Association, tells Jon it’s still not clear whether PSOs are improving safety
on railway stations. “They’re doing their job on railway stations at night but
we know that that’s not the only place where crime is occurring.” Lucy Carter, research fellow in energy at the Grattan Institute, tells Jon it will be difficult to guage whether any savings from repealing the carbon tax will flow on to the consumer. "It's going to be almost impossible,
particularly in states like Victoria, where there’s deregulated power
pricing, to figure out how these costs are flowing through to consumers.”